Wolff does not rule out the risk of a new engine penalty for Hamilton in 2021

Could the 2021 title be decided by a grid penalty due to a change of propeller, or even an engine failure leading to retirement?

This prospect cannot be ruled out given the concerns that agitate the clan Mercedes at the end of the season. The seven-time world champions had to install a 6th thermal engine (ICE) at the rear of the W12. Valtteri Bottas.

This is the 3rd engine change for the Finn in 4 Grand Prix weekends! Add to this the new ICE on board by Lewis Hamilton in Turkey and you will understand the fears of Brackley and Brixworth (United Kingdom).

« Everyone can see we are suffering with reliability this year, confessed Toto wolff from Austin, Texas. We didn't plan to use 6 engines with Valtteri, that's for sure. We're trying to solve these problems that we haven't fully understood ».

Unsurprisingly, the Austrian manager did not wish to say more about the nature of the concerns which are currently slowing down Mercedes' momentum.

Still, the star's client teams are not spared from grid penalties either since Sebastian Vettel (Aston Martin) and George Russell (Williams) will start at the back of the grid on Sunday at the Circuit of the Americas after receiving several new Mercedes engine components.

« You just have to grit your teeth and do the best job possible. », breathes Wolff.

The boss of the German fortress has not ruled out a new engine change between now and the end of the season for Hamilton, who is 6 points behind Max Verstappen before the US GP.

« I can't tell you if we will take a new PU, or even what the probability of such an event is., added Wolff. But obviously the risk exists.

It's difficult to judge the situation well: should we anticipate a possible problem and suffer a new penalty or use the same engine and face the danger of suffering a retirement. We are currently having discussions on the subject but have not found satisfactory answers ».

Undefeated in the championship since 2017, Hamilton has not forgotten that his last world defeat came, among other things, after a heartbreaking engine failure at the 2016 Malaysian GP (and against a Nico Rosberg in great form, let's emphasize it!).